Inspire Washington (DBA)

Inspire Washington increases public access to science, heritage, and the arts through advocacy, resource development, education, and coalition building.

From Spokane to Seattle, from Kennewick to Kitsap, from Wenatchee to Whatcom, we champion the positive impact of people and organizations that provide cultural programs, activities, and experiences.

Culture is important and inspirational: it ignites curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and connection to other people and the places around us. More public investment in arts, heritage, and science pays off with more jobs, better education, and stronger places across Washington.

The 2025 State Legislative Session was a challenging one due to budget restrictions, new lawmakers, and changes in the Federal government. We anticipate many new objectives for each of our sectors—science, heritage, and the arts. Without new advocates and active engagement across the state, these large goals will be very challenging to achieve.

If you've been wanting to get more involved with cultural advocacy but aren't sure where to start, you're in the right place. Supporting Inspire Washington allows you to instantly become involved with a mighty coalition representing 18,000 businesses, 70,000 employees, and countless creatives and contractors who drive economic activity and spur social impact in every region of our state.

Here are some goals we’ve achieved through our grassroots organizing over the past few years: 

• Developed the Cultural Access legislation that gives counties and towns the ability to create programs designed to improve equitable access to science, heritage, and the arts. 
• Supported successful Cultural Access campaigns in Tacoma, Olympia, San Juan County, and Vancouver. 
• Drove King County’s Doors Open program, which will generate an estimated $100 million for cultural businesses annually. 
• Secured vital support for COVID relief, such as through Working Washington 5 grants. 
• Partnered with organizations and advocates to champion legislation at the national level.

All of our public-facing programs are free to attend, which is made possible by donors like you. Some of our most popular programs include:

• Cultural Futures: Our annual statewide tour gives us a chance to recap the year’s legislative wins and draw attention to upcoming grants, funding, and new policies that pertain to cultural businesses. This year, we will visit 27 cities across the state and hold 3 virtual presentations.
• Arts, Heritage, and Science (AHS) Week: This weeklong event gathers cultural leaders from across our state with representatives from their district. This year, we facilitated more than 115 meetings between 257 advocates with representatives from 48 of our 49 total districts.
• Town Halls: At these events, we gather lawmakers in open-forum conversation with cultural leaders about topics pertaining to our creative economy. In March 2023, we hosted this type of event with Representative Jayapal at a gathering with over 150 advocates from her district.
• Candidate Forums: Candidate Forums give local election contenders a chance to outline their plans for restoring, supporting, and expanding the region’s cultural sector. This fall, we will host Candidate Forums for both Seattle and King County Council election contenders.

The bottom line is arts, heritage, and science experiences strengthen our communities. Our coalition believes that everyone in Washington should have the opportunity to improve their lives and explore where their curiosity and creativity can take them.

Donate to Inspire Washington to ensure cultural advocacy is supported across our state!

Inspire Washington Foundation is tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Tax ID: 91-0994462.